Differentiation between pelvic abscesses and pelvic tumors with diffusion-weighted MR imaging: a preliminary study

Use diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating pelvic abscess from pelvic cystic tumor.

Patients with pelvic abscess (n=23) or pelvic cystic tumor (n=15) who underwent diffusion-weighted MRI were reviewed.

Pelvic abscesses showed hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted MRI and hypointensity on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. The mean ADC values of fluid in pelvic abscess and pelvic tumors were 0.73 ± 0.15 × 10(-3) and 2.27 ± 0.45 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. Pelvic abscesses had significantly lower ADC values than pelvic cystic tumors (P<.001).

Diffusion-weighted MRI provides a noncontrast method for interpreting pelvic cystic lesions.